Post fair thoughts

The media impression of the Independence Party state fair booths suggested Dean Barkley's booth was much more active then Jack Uldrich. I strolled by both booths 2 or three times each and it appeared fairly even action. I might have to rethink my prediction from earlier in the day and say the primary race will be a little closer.

Overall politics were dead all around the fair, as is typical on the weekend. Hopefully next week I'll get a chance to see Franken, Coleman and potentially a presidential candiate or two next week.

Heading to the fair

If you hear a report of Al Franken punching someone in the face don't be suprised. My US Senator has to know how to pay his taxes.

Independence Party primary tracker

With the start of the fair we now have a good indication Dean Barkley is running a strong campaign while Jack Uldrich and Steven Williams lag behind. While I still will probably support Uldrich with my primary vote Barkley will win and Uldrich will have to compete against Steven Williams endorsement to gain 2nd.

As it stands now my prediction
Barkley 55%
Uldrich 15%
Williams 12%

conditions are right for a very good tournout in the 15,000 to 20,000 range

Other polling at 11%

A KSTP Survey poll released Sunday night shows 1 in 9 Minnesotan's have already decided neither Norm Coleman or Al Franken are worthy of their vote. Coleman leads 47-39 over Franken. Al Franken does not know how to pay taxes and thus 39% represents the highest he will poll the rest of the way. At 11% (assuming we can put at least 10% of that to the Independence Party primary winner) hope exists, and when Colemans lead becomes 49-35-13 both Coleman and Franken supporters will feel it is safe to support Dean Barkley, Jack Uldrich, or Stephen Williams, and it simply becomes a matter of knocking Coleman under 35%.

Of course if Rob Fitzgerald wins the DFL primary then the DFL will have hope and thus will get behind their candidate.

Jack Uldrich

Jack Uldrich is the first to take the oppurtunity to tell us why he is running

Mike:

Thanks for the opportunity. Here's my first post. It explains why I'm running:

In 2001, a young member of Governor Ventura's administration looked into the future and saw a looming crisis regarding the long-term viability of the Ford Motor plant in St. Paul. He also saw an opportunity. So the cabinet official urged the governor, the mayor of St. Paul, and labor union officials to reach out to Ford officials and begin converting the facility on the Mississippi River from one that built gas-guzzling pick-ups to one that constructed energy-efficient hybrid vehicles and, eventually, hydrogen fuel-cell automobiles.His vision and foresight went unheeded. The Ford plant is now slated to close in 2010.That young official was me, Jack Uldrich, and the story epitomizes why I am running for U.S. Senate. Minnesota - and America - needs leaders who understand where this country is headed and have the courage to act. In short, we need leaders who will prepare this state and this country for tomorrow - today! I am such a leader.When I look into the future...And that is what I have done professionally for the past five years as an author and professional business forecaster - I see much to be deeply concerned about, including my top two priorities: the economy and the environment.Far from being pessimistic about the future, though, I am wildly optimistic. The reason is because I see the huge opportunities hidden within each challenge.Opportunity #1: The EconomyIn 1993, I left my fast-track career as a strategic planner with the Defense Department to return to Minnesota in order to a tackle an issue which I considered the greatest threat facing America: its $4 trillion national debt. I became the head of the Minnesota chapter of the Concord Coalition - a nonpartisan organization dedicated to addressing the looming crisis.I felt so strongly about the issue that I challenged the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Martin Sabo in 1996 in Minnesota's Fifth Congressional District. Although unsuccessful, Congress heeded my (and many others) message of fiscal responsibility and the federal government actually began running small surpluses.It was a short-lived success. After eight years of Republican and Democratic gamesmanship, America now faces a $10 trillion national debt and another $53 trillion - that's $53,000,000,000,000! -- in unfunded liabilities to the Social Security and Medicare programs.My two children, who are only ages 7 and 9, already owe their government over $200,000. This is not only morally wrong; it is a crisis of historic proportions. America requires fresh, innovative and optimistic leaders who can turn this crisis into an opportunity. I have a plan to do just that and it starts by leveling with the American public. First, we must dramatically reduce the military budget; slash corporate and agricultural subsidies (including ethanol subsidies to Minnesota farmers); and eliminate Congressional earmarks.Beyond that, Congress must immediately index the age of eligibility to Medicare and Social Security to increases in life expectancy. This single step will save trillions of dollars and steer both programs back toward fiscal solvency.Opportunity #2: The EnvironmentOur reliance on foreign oil is central to America's on-going involvement in Iraq; our country's faltering economy; and the very real concern of global climate change.America is not hopeless, though. New energy sources, which are cheap, clean and abundant, represent the opportunity. We need only replace our "do nothing" Congress with leaders who understand America's "can do" spirit and are ready to eliminate our reliance on foreign fossil fuel in a decade's time.I will provide the leadership to grasp this opportunity. And, in so doing, America will extricate itself from the Middle East; we will grow our economy by creating new jobs in the solar, wind, biofuels and hydrogen industries (in large part by halting the transfer of trillions of dollars of American wealth abroad); and we will stop pumping billions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.On issue after issue - from education and emergency preparation to electoral reform -- I see this country headed in the absolute wrong direction.Still I remain wildly optimistic because the only ingredient necessary to turn these challenges into opportunities are leaders who are willing to act today - for a better tomorrow. I am that leader.I invite you to participate in this vital effort with me. With your assistance we can embrace the future with confidence.Your partner in preparing America for tomorrow -- today,Jack Uldrich Independence Party candidate for U.S. Senate

www.dotheimpossible08.com

Al Franken

Lets just say it, Al Franken will not be the next Senator from the state of Minnesota. The reason, he does not know how to pay his taxes, and is not willing to campaign on the issue that our tax system is to complicated which would suggest he feels that average Americans should be capable of doing things that he can't or won't. Worse yet in Frankens ad defending his major tax mistakes he suggest that he overpaid not in Minnesota, but in the state he lived in, or to put it in other words failed to pay his Minnesota taxes.

Al Franken can't win!!! So what does that mean, to assume Norm Coleman will win is silly as most polls suggest Minnesotans are not happy with Republicans. If the rank and file in the DFL are seeing clearly they will see that they have an opportunity in November only by promoting someone other then Franken in September. Rob Fitzgerald would seem to be the only viable alternative. The only other option is the winner of the Independence Party primary. A primary where three candidates have a very real shot at victory. The media concludes Dean Barkley will walk away with it, but then again the media concludes Al Franken is one of two candidates that can win.

In an era where we hear way to often that it's the most important election of our lifetime might I suggest that the DFL and Independence Party primaries are the most important election of this US Senate race?

Candiadate free for all

I just sent out an E-mail to Stephen Williams, Jack Uldrich, Dean Barkley, Rob Fitzgerald, letting them know I will publish whatever pitch they want to make. Jack and Rob are sure to respond soon and I would imagine Dean and Stephen will also take advantage of the oppurtunity.

There all trying

I can for possibly the first time ever say that 4 Independence Party candidates are all putting forth meaningful effort to convert voters prior to the state fair. I'd love to say six, but when you cross endorse Democrats you hurt the party. I can give a pass for Tinklenberg because he served under Ventura, but why endorse every DFLer that asks. Being against Michele Bachmann and John Kline is for the most part a good thing, but lets not sacrifice our fiscal conseritism because the Republicans fail us in other areas.

I am in favor of cross endorsement as a means of supporting candidates not opposing them.

Now a few favors to take care of, David Dillon faces off with his CD 3 rivals in a debate that deserves fair media coverage, we can no longer tolerate the lazy media (most notably Pat Kessler). Also Jack Uldrich is out with a new web ad, he also is participating in the farmfest debate by answering the questions all the questions asked. It's innovated, it's smart and it ends the media's controll of the process and puts it in the voters hands. Of course that website is dotheimpossible.com

Go Twins!! It's beer time.

Robert Fitzgerald web ad

Robert Fitzgerald is proudly lining himself up with Ron Paul on his new web ad on facebook. It is clear that neither Al Franken or Norm Coleman will match the fiscal conservatism of Ron Paul. Dean Barkley seems like he will be that kind of option, but as of today the only candidate ready to lead us back in the right direction is Robert Fitzgerald.

Norm Coleman is running on his ability to redistribute millions of dollars to billionaires. Al Franken hasn't seen a dollar he doesn't want to redistribute to individuals. It is not governments job to pick winners and losers.

Build a road or a school hire a cop, fund the military, make sure we are safe but never redistribute wealth. Democrat Republican Independents alike should all vote in the DFL primary to reject Al Franken and Robert Fitzgerad is the most acceptable alternative.